Jack Merrill, an actor known for participating in series such as Grey's Anatomy and Law and Order, revealed that he was a victim of John Wayne Gacy, a serial killer from Chicago. This assault took place in 1978, the same year Gacy was arrested for multiple homicides. Merrill recounted that after being kidnapped by Gacy, he was sexually abused and managed to escape from being another fatal victim of the so-called 'killer clown.'
During the kidnapping, Merrill stated that he tried to remain calm so as not to anger Gacy, who took him to his home and subjected him to various abuses. Although he did not report it to the police immediately, years later, upon learning of Gacy's capture, Merrill quickly identified the criminal.
Gacy, known for dressing as 'Pogo the Clown' for children's events, led a double life hiding his crimes behind charitable acts in his community. Merrill decided to overcome the trauma of what happened and continued his acting career, moving to another state and studying theater.
The crimes of John Wayne Gacy, which occurred between 1972 and 1978, involved luring young men to his home, where he sexually assaulted and murdered them. Gacy was sentenced to death and executed in 1994 after confessing to the murder of more than 30 people.
Merrill shared details about his encounter with Gacy in an interview with People magazine, revealing that his attempt to resist was quelled by the threats and violence of the criminal. Despite the violence suffered, Merrill used his art as a means to explore and process what happened in the play 'The Save.'
